The Effectiveness of Task-Based Grammar Activities in Improving English Grammar Proficiency among University Students in a University in Northern Viet Nam

Abstract : This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of task-based grammar activities in improving the English grammar proficiency of university students at a university in Viet Nam. Specifically, it compared the grammar performance of students taught through the Task-Based Approach with those taught through the Grammar-Translation Method. The study employed a quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test design involving 60 students, who were divided into an experimental group and a control group, with 30 students in each group. The experimental group was taught grammar through task-based activities, while the control group received instruction through the Grammar-Translation Method. Data were collected using grammar pre-tests and post-tests and were analyzed using mean scores, standard deviation, and t-test procedures. The findings showed that both groups improved after the intervention; however, the experimental group achieved a higher post-test mean score than the control group. The results indicate that task-based grammar activities were more effective in enhancing students’ grammar proficiency, increasing their classroom participation, and promoting more meaningful use of grammatical structures in communication. The study concludes that the Task-Based Approach is a suitable and effective method for teaching English grammar at the university level, particularly in contexts where traditional grammar instruction remains dominant.